Official Episode Discussion S4 Ep 22: The Power Inside Her *Episode 100*

[victory_angel]

I found this episode really enjoyable.

What would have made it better is if everyone is left dealing with the loss. Leo and everyone informs Splinter of (spoiler)'a death. April would be beside herself with grief because of it. Splinter would be broken-hearted that one of his sons was gone. And there would be an air of what happens now? Where do we go without him?

Then an episode or next season later April or Mikey gets a vision where (spoiler) appears to them and says he's not dead. He is actually trapped in another dimension.

When they inform the others about this everyone else brushes it off as 'letting ones grief getting to them'. Splinter looks into it via meditation and realizes (spoiler) is alive so it becomes a matter of returning them to their universe.

[JTH]

Originally Posted by Redworld96

My favourite part of the episode:

Everyone: April destroy Za-Naron! Remember our battles, remember the parties, remember the family!

April:
https://67.media.tumblr.com/042a0cc0...rbtpg9_540.jpg

Raph: Remember Donnie!

April:
https://66.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m...fggeo1_500.gif

I raise you.

[Aaronardo]

Originally Posted by victory_angel

I found this episode really enjoyable.

What would have made it better is if everyone is left dealing with the loss. Leo and everyone informs Splinter of (spoiler)'a death. April would be beside herself with grief because of it. Splinter would be broken-hearted that one of his sons was gone. And there would be an air of what happens now? Where do we go without him?

Then an episode or next season later April or Mikey gets a vision where (spoiler) appears to them and says he's not dead. He is actually trapped in another dimension.

When they inform the others about this everyone else brushes it off as 'letting ones grief getting to them'. Splinter looks into it via meditation and realizes (spoiler) is alive so it becomes a matter of returning them to their universe.

See? That's a much better way to handle this. Them staying dead would have set off so many great things for this show. But, unfortunately, the show doesn't want to do anything groundbreaking. :/

[GoldMutant]

So, according to what's said here, "Dark April" was only one episode?

Spoiler:

Called. It.

I'll review it later.

[ToTheNines]

Haha, good poll options VA. I couldn't choose for a while, but just settled on the Ghostbusters reference.

We've come a long way since Mean Green Teen Machine.

[JTH]

I disagree with you guys, if April could realize she could bring Donnie back, then do it, and return to the real point of the finale which is Super Shredder.

Trust me, I know a lot of you on here would not be invested in the slightest in a "Donatello Particle Scavenger Hunt"

[Vicky82]

I'm glad it was only one episode, I didn't want April to have too much focus. Hopefully she will be on the side lines in the last few episodes.

I'm hoping Mikey has a bigger role in the last 4 episodes, he's been on the sidelines a lot lately.

I've also noticed that everyone has gotten injured except Mikey so I feel that could be coming up soon.

[PApagreg]

Did not care for this episode not only did they wussed out with Donnie's "death" and making Dark April one episode the plot didn't really have any emotional punch to it. The decision to give the crystal a name and history was beyond dumb and gave us some unneeded exposition, you could've just said the crystal was somewhat of an entity and was sort of influencing April but no we had to get this dr jekyll and mr hyde. This really should've been more than 1 episode, when Ben 10 does a better "Power Overlord" plot then you know your show has problems.

[Redworld96]

Originally Posted by GoldMutant

So, according to what's said here, "Dark April" was only one episode?

Spoiler:

Called. It.

I'll review it later.

I prefer to be one episode actually (or two as much). Now let see why the turtles will wear the "super ninja" outfit in the next episodes

[Tarris Vaal]

Quoted from Redworld96
I prefer to be one episode actually (or two as much). Now let see why the turtles will wear the "super ninja" outfit in the next episodes

I have to agree in this instance - JTH is right to say that a prolonged 'side quest' of gathering up Don's particles would be derailing the main super shredder climax at this late stage. Two episodes would have been ideal I think to give enough time for the 'loss' of Don to sink in, but considering the format of the show (24mins lean scripting) I think we got as much as we could have hoped for without alienating one fan group or another.

I have to say I'm really impressed with Raph and Casey's portrayal in this ep. Obviously Don's death and April's possession take centre stage and rightly so - but that chase/fight scene between Casey and the Foot mutants was also very good.

[Vicky82]

About the chase scene, I laughed when the Elite Foot Bots were on fire and still chasing Casey.

[Ashwolf]

well, i was right about the crystal being made up of energy from beings like in fma, though wasnt expecting so few but it makes sense considering how big the entire star was and more "space" for each being to be spread out

the episode was alright, i guess...... like the dark parts of it and how it connected in with the shredder deformity from the last episode but it felt wrapped up way too quickly

on the last 4 episodes, they should be airing soon cause didnt they cast say awhile back that the season was gonna finish up in december or that the next season would start in december..... cant really remember which it was right now.....

[ColinStein]

What's up with the big step in animation? I'm not complaining, I'm just noticing it's way better than it should be or deserves to be! It's great and I love it!

I think many of us agree, having an episode where Donnie is either in another dimension or stuck in an astral plane or something would have been cool. I guess they could have ended the episode with a slight nod of Donnie's fate with him trying to communicate to April or something. I dunno, I'm not a writer and I don't know the rules they have to follow or the schedule they have moving forward. But man they get so close to Avatar levels! It's still great stuff.

[Vicky82]

Originally Posted by ColinStein

What's up with the big step in animation? I'm not complaining, I'm just noticing it's way better than it should be or deserves to be! It's great and I love it!

I think many of us agree, having an episode where Donnie is either in another dimension or stuck in an astral plane or something would have been cool. I guess they could have ended the episode with a slight nod of Donnie's fate with him trying to communicate to April or something. I dunno, I'm not a writer and I don't know the rules they have to follow or the schedule they have moving forward. But man they get so close to Avatar levels! It's still great stuff.

Many??? some of us are glad it didn't continue.

[TMNTInsighter]

Rating: C- (2.5 out of 5 stars)

Whenever I raised my usual complaints about April's arc this season with regards to her crystal, victory angel (twice) made a good case about the dependency of power when an object of power (especially a foreign one) comes into play and makes the person better, faster, stronger, etc. She mentioned objects that have been used in stories before such as the One Ring, the Elder Wand, etc. Most of us just think about Jean Grey and the Phoenix though when we compare April and the fact that what's been taking her over is in fact, the spirit of a, well, ancient Aeon named Za-Naron
This was a good case, it really was, but I just couldn't give April and her predicament a break because of how drawn out it was and then rushed it seemed when we got to "Bat in the Belfry". Not to mention how cliche and predictable the "power corrupts" theme has become. April herself also acts very over the top in this arc and not in a good way. That episode was better when it focused on Wingnut & Screwloose as well as the fun and satire with regards to comic book characters it provided. When it came to April however, that episode failed to adequately dramatize her internal conflict (save for the hint that something living, Za-Naron as we now know it, was actually in play). It only talked about it and seemed confused as whether to treat April as a comic figure or a possibly soon-to-be tragic one. Plus, let's be frank, her "My crystal!" shtick got really tiresome. Her attitude itself made it really easy for the script to occasionally condescend to her as cruelly as the characters--not to mention that they did a piss poor job in keeping her from the crystal when they realized that it wasn't good.
"The Power Inside Her" however mistook those liabilities for assets. Although they tried to separate April from the object this time around, the introduction of Za-Naron actually seemed like a relief at the time and a good change of pace. Another thing raised which should've been interesting came at the end when Splinter acknowledged that April literally faced her demons. But it wasn't clear what demons Za-Naron was supposed to represent for April. Is she tired of this war with the Foot Clan? Is she tired of being less normal than other humans? Is she upset over the possible fact that she considers Splinter more of a father than her own? Surely it can't be the fact that the world is so corrupt she has to do something about it since this is a part of her that has neither been brought up or explored much, if at all. That's Za-Naron's claim, and since victory_angel argued to me that the Aeons were not used to foreign pieces of corruption on their planet (such as the BHG), so it would be logical to assume that being on a corrupt planet would drive even the most ancient of the Aeons to the demonic state seen in their debut episode. That April believes that the people should be saved and not destroyed in contrast to Za-Naron would make an interesting dynamic but it goes nowhere and is only amplified in part by Donatello's initial death.
Not all is instantly lost however since this paves the way for interesting scenarios such as the turtles and Casey deciding whether they must destroy April in the hopes of defeating Za-Naron and avenging their brother or not, the suspense of Raph perhaps being the next one to go, April remembering what has become perhaps her true family (and Donatello), and April eventually slaying the demon that even the wisest and oldest Aeon has become; although the rushed and improbable return of Donatello provides no impact on its own. Although April makes the assertion that her abilities have certainly improved thanks to her ordeal, the fact that she spent that particular moment telling us rather than showing us does not make all the sound and fury of this whole ordeal seem justified--just as it makes my own assertions about the Aeons being foolish to give April the crystal remain, in fact, justified.

[GoldMutant]

As of now, I really don't like this episode at all. Well, as per usual, there was some good stuff. First off, the animation. Man, the animation department should use the weather more, it makes the scenery amazing. Besides the winter weather from The Invasion, there's nearly no moments without weather, mostly just darkened skies for Kraang invasions or the simple night and day. I'd love to see more.

The other main thing is Casey. Forget April and her corruption and Don's persistence to save April, this is the first time since... maybe Casey Jones vs the Underworld where he felt like a character. I adored the chase scene, it's possibly the best part of the episode. Not as intense as the train fight from Super Shredder or April vs Shinigami in City at War, but still a great all around fight. Besides it, I just liked Casey's reactions; out of all the heroes (barring Don), he really felt upset when April went down. Same with Michelangelo, but he only got that one moment in the final fight.

As for the central plot... I may write another post on it analyzing everything involving Donatello and April O'Neil. Simply put, I wasn't impressed. I knew it would be one episode, I knew Don or whoever April killed would be revived immediately. There was no stakes for me as a result; unless a two parter or a longer run time, it just felt there without impact. Add another mark to the "Don's Near Deaths" chart.

Honestly, I just don't have a lot to say this episode, there just wasn't anything very standout, especially coming off the two Super Shredder episodes. I felt more invested in that drama because of all the build up to it. Did I want Shredder mutated? No, I didn't. However, the stakes in SS's debut in addition to one last Rat King appearance did more for me than any of the buildup towards April's corruption.

[Haalix]

Originally Posted by Vicky82

I'm glad it was only one episode, I didn't want April to have too much focus. Hopefully she will be on the side lines in the last few episodes.

I'm hoping Mikey has a bigger role in the last 4 episodes, he's been on the sidelines a lot lately.

I've also noticed that everyone has gotten injured except Mikey so I feel that could be coming up soon.

Agreed. I was actually starting to hate Mikey a bit cause he was getting as annoying as Casey. But in the last three episodes I started to like him again so I'm hoping they'll give him a more serious episode. (And not the garbage that was bat in the belfy)

[Aaronardo]

Originally Posted by JTH

I disagree with you guys, if April could realize she could bring Donnie back, then do it, and return to the real point of the finale which is Super Shredder.

Trust me, I know a lot of you on here would not be invested in the slightest in a "Donatello Particle Scavenger Hunt"

With the Turtles going to Japan in Season 5 (or, at least, it seems), they could've had a reason of going there to find out how to put Donnie back together again. Or they could've used a different "death" that wasn't "spread his particles everywhere." They don't have to finish the plot in Season 4. In fact, it could've made a possible loss to Super Shredder even more devastating, with the Turtles put in a situation where Donnie could've saved the day.

A Donatello Particle Scavenger Hunt is a lot better than half-assedly ending what could be a great plot point in one act of the same episode it starts in (although both options are awful. Use some creativity, though).

[Vicky82]

Originally Posted by Aaronardo

With the Turtles going to Japan in Season 5 (or, at least, it seems), they could've had a reason of going there to find out how to put Donnie back together again. Or they could've used a different "death" that wasn't "spread his particles everywhere." They don't have to finish the plot in Season 4. In fact, it could've made a possible loss to Super Shredder even more devastating, with the Turtles put in a situation where Donnie could've saved the day.

A Donatello Particle Scavenger Hunt is a lot better than half-assedly ending what could be a great plot point in one act of the same episode it starts in (although both options are awful. Use some creativity, though).

Na that would have been boring like the 2K3 Back to the Sewers story with the Turtles searching for Splinters particles.

I didn't want Donnie to miss season final, that's if the Turtles are fighting Super Shredder.

[Haalix]

Originally Posted by Aaronardo

With the Turtles going to Japan in Season 5 (or, at least, it seems), they could've had a reason of going there to find out how to put Donnie back together again. Or they could've used a different "death" that wasn't "spread his particles everywhere." They don't have to finish the plot in Season 4. In fact, it could've made a possible loss to Super Shredder even more devastating, with the Turtles put in a situation where Donnie could've saved the day.

A Donatello Particle Scavenger Hunt is a lot better than half-assedly ending what could be a great plot point in one act of the same episode it starts in (although both options are awful. Use some creativity, though).

It really depends. If they had removed one filler episode previous to this episode they could've done it easily. Or if one of the next episodes is a filler (however doubtful). But I feel like they just have to focus on the Shredder right now. So I'm glad Dark April is out of the picture. Though I fully agree with them doing something more with it. I was actually hoping for some April hurting Donnie moment and some aftermath. Either Don being injured or 'death'